Anyone who has talked to me over the last few weeks knows that I am completely stressed out about my do it yourself (DIY) projects. I keep looking at my check list and there they are taunting me. It’s not that I am not creative I happen to be very creative (hence my marketing degree) but I am not crafty. I use to like to think I was crafty until I met real crafty people like Colt, his mom and his family so I have come to accept that no I am not crafty. Anu is also another crafty one. She is probably the best hostess I have ever met so it wasn’t a huge surprise when she told me her sister Trisha might be able to help me with my DIY projects. Trisha has her own greeting card company so I figured she would at least be able to point me in the right direction if nothing else.

I sent Anu pictures of what I was looking for (it was really only 3 things) guest name cards, welcome drink tags with table numbers and flags for our fancy grey straws. That same day she forwarded all the pictures in an e-mail to her sister Trisha and I was so excited to see if she could do them. She quickly replied back and told Anu that her and I could do these projects no problem and that we didn’t even need her help (that made Anu and I laugh uncontrollably) Anu quickly told her that wasn’t an option so we set up a girls day for Saturday the 28^th. Mid week Anu texted me and told me that Trisha had called in a few of her friends (Diani and MaryAnn) to help and that they were DIY ready. I wasn’t sure what to expect I just knew I didn’t want to have to order all the stuff online so my fingers were crossed.

On Saturday Katie dropped the girls off at 9am so Colt and I could take them wedding shopping with us. I needed to size their ever growing feet and bodies for leotards and ballerina slippers. We also needed to go get the groomsmen their white shirts. We spent the day at the mall shopping and were able to get the shirts, the girls ballerina slippers and their leotards sized. Papa even came up to Macy’s to met us so he could get his shirt too. After we left town we headed to subway and got to have lunch with the girls, Katie and Cameron. During lunch we looked at old pictures for the slideshow and got all emotional then laughed at what a cry fest the wedding was going to be. It was a long day but productive day and little did I know it was about to get even longer.

We got to Trisha’s house around 4 o’clock. She immediately got to business. She pulled up the examples I had sent and then brought me into her craft room. As I followed her in I quickly realized that this room was legit! For you east coasters it was Michael’s or Joanne’s fabric on steroids. It had shelves and jars and cubbies filled with ribbon, patterns, materials, buttons, card stock, stencils and glitter (oh there was so much glitter!) I was like a little kid in a candy store, this was so much better than I ever expected and from there it just kept getting better.

Trisha is so talented and I don’t mean just the cut and paste talented her and her friend Diani are legit pro’s. Every idea I showed them they took it to the next level and then to the next level after that. It was so fun and exciting to watch and learn and be part of the process. We were so efficient and at one point we were like a well oiled machine with Trisha, Diani, MaryAnn, Anu and myself all doing our assigned part. Trisha ran a tight ship and it was so awesome. Finally 8 ½ hours later we were done. We had created ever so cute flags for our straws, guest name cards and welcome drink tags with table numbers. I was seriously so happy and re-energized, another BIG check off the list!

The next morning I woke up and hurried out to the living room because Kristen had already texted me that we had to facetime so she could see all the projects we had done and I couldn’t wait to show her. As I got the stuff ready I quickly noticed that one of the projects that we had to use a sticker for was already completely peeling off (damn Kihei humidity). Trisha had mentioned the night before that she thought this might happen because of the size and weight and even though I knew she was worried about it I told her it would be fine. I decided I would just go to Ben Franklin that day and buy extra duty tape and ribbon in case I had to tie them on. I decided to text Anu to see what kind of tape Trisha would recommend. What happened next was pretty much a whirlwind. I texted Anu, she texted me back and next thing I know I was on a four way call with Anu, Trisha and Diani demanding a re-do. I of course at first refused I told them there was NO WAY we were going to waste all this beautiful work and material but after some time Trisha wore me down and said see you in an hour. I couldn’t believe we were doing them again. I got in my car and drove to Ben Franklin to meet Anu and pick up some supplies. We got to Trisha’s around 1:30pm and her and Diani already had a sample and a full game plan in place. We didn’t waste any time and as we got started I was so grateful she was making us re-do them. Even though the originals were awesome these were even BETTER (I really didn’t think it was possible but apparently it was) 4 ½ hours later we were done and I couldn’t have been more ecstatic.

I honestly can’t even begin to express what a enormous stress relief it was to get this checked off my list and have Trisha help me. Especially because I would have had to order everything online otherwise and I would have got raped on shipping plus the time. I also can’t even being to express the amount of gratitude I feel for Anu, Trisha, Diani and MaryAnn for being so selfless and giving me so much of their time (13 hours). I of all people understand firsthand how rare it is for people to be willing to give up their time for you, so the fact that all of them were willing to help truly has me beyond words. I am so blessed to have such an amazing friend like Anu in my life and that her family and their friends are so giving to Colt and I.

Trisha, Diani and MaryAnn no amount of thank you’s will ever be enough but please know that Colt and I appreciate each of you more than you will ever know. You totally styled us out and never once complained about it and for that we are forever grateful.